This appeal seeks CHF 2,367,501(1) to fund programmes and activities to be implemented in 2006 and 2007. These programmes are aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
1. Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
2. Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
3. Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
The International Federation's is the world's largest humanitarian organization, and its millions of volunteers are active in over 183 countries. Our aim is to build safer communities, able to prevent and respond to human suffering in times of crises and distress, and where people work together to promote hope, dignity and equity. We work to support vulnerable communities through neutral, impartial, independent humanitarian action, in accordance with our Fundamental Principles, the Code of Conduct and the Sphere project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.
|
Programmes
|
2006 Budget in CHF
|
2007 Budget in CHF
|
Total Budget in CHF
|
| Health and Care |
462,000
|
438,501
|
900,501
|
| Disaster Management |
290,001
|
359,999
|
650,000
|
| Organizational Development |
415,000
|
402,000
|
817,000
|
| Totals |
1,167,001
|
1,200,500
|
2,367,501
|
Country context
Timor-Leste is Asia’s poorest country, with some 40 per cent of the population living below the poverty line. It is also the fastest growing country in the world, with a fertility rate of 7.6 for every woman. The infant mortality rate is also among the highest, while the maternal mortality is 660 per 100,000 live births. Access to health services and information is poor and barely half the population has access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities.
Most people live on simple subsistence agriculture and approximately 50 per cent of the population are illiterate. Environmental degradation is widespread, and seasonal food shortages are common. There is very little industrial development. Oil provides income, but substantial revenues depend on reaching an agreement with Australia on utilisation of disputed areas in the Timor Sea.
The humanitarian situation in Timor-Leste, with high death rates related to simple, preventable causes, offers huge challenges but also possibilities to a national humanitarian grass-root organisation. The Timor-Leste Red Cross (Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste/CVTL) was formed in 2000. In 2005, a governmental decree was passed, formally recognizing the society. With a membership already reaching 10,000, CVTL aims to make a positive difference to the lives of the most vulnerable. Through remarkable programme achievements over the last two years, the society is positioning itself as a leading humanitarian agency, primarily in the area of health, but also with a rapidly growing disaster management programme. CVTL’s first general assembly in August 2005 and the recognition law passed by the council of ministers shortly after, made it the official national Red Cross society of Timor-Leste. The draft strategic plan, presented at the general assembly, will help CVTL focus on clear directions and overcome the risk of spreading its programme activities too thinly.
Since 2001, the Federation has rendered comprehensive support to CVTL within programme development/ implementation, organisational development and international funding. At the Federation’s general assembly in November 2005, the society was officially admitted as a member of the Federation.
For further information please contact:
In Timor-Leste: Francisco Ximenes, Secretary-General, Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste; email: sec-gen@cvtl.tp; Phone: +67.07.24.8963; Fax: +67.03.32.1688
In Timor-Leste: Olav Ofstad, Head of Delegation; email: olav.ofstad@ifrc.org: Phone: +67.07.23.1434; Fax: +67.03.32.2010
In Bangkok: Bekele Geleta, Head of Regional Delegation; email: bekele.geleta@ifrc.org; Phone: +66.2.661.8201; Fax: +66.2.661.9322
In Geneva: Charles Evans or Sabine Feuglet, Southeast Asia Desk, Asia Pacific Department; email: charles.evans@ifrc.org or sabine.feuglet@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4320/4349; Fax: +41.22.733.0395
Footnote
(1) EUR 1,531,867 or USD 1,848,887
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